In its first weekend, “Boyhood” opened on just five screens and averaged about $72,000 per-screen, the second-highest average of the year following the record-breaking performance of Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

A rare 100% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, strong word of mouth and an aggressive social-media campaign helped the film secure a solid opening. That stellar reception will only continue to add steam as the film widens.

“Looking back, it seemed like a tremendous risk. But at that time when we sat down, it seemed like an obvious easy yes,” Jonathan Sehring, whose IFC Films financed “Boyhood” and released the film, said after its opening weekend performance.